Reviews (page 2 of 7)
classic hip hop album. rae and ghostface were incredible throughout, and rza had such perfect production for this album
Classic. One of my favorite hip hop albums of all time. Top 3 solo efforts by a wu member. OB4CL vol2 also great.
Dun-dun-duuuuun-dun-dun ….
5/30/25. One of my favorites in the Wu Tang universe. Love the beats, flow from all the artists, and overall production. Can always revisit at any time.
Hands down a classic
Great album, probably my favorite of the Wu-Tang associated albums honestly
It takes a little time to get into 90s hip-hop but once you do, it's insane how consistent some of these classics are. Over an hour long and not a single beat or line is subpar here.
Dope jams.
In my top 5 rap albums of all time and one of the greatest concept albums I've ever heard. Raekwon took a massive step up from 36 Chambers, RZA bent his production style to show his versatility, Ghostface played the co-star role perfectly, and the rest of the Wu all brought their A game on their features. “Criminology” is one of the best rap beats of all time and “Incarcerated Scarfaces” is some of the best bravado rapping ever. Just a dope album from front to back that helped start the mafioso rap genre that inspired legends like Nas and Jay-Z.
An essential listen.
I feel like this is everything gangsta rap should be. Good beats, good flow, great skill on display, and good interplay between Raekwon and Ghostface.
Fav: Heaven & Hell (feat. Ghostface Killah) Least Fav: Spot Rusherz The most impressive part is 18 songs and no misses, with some fantastic and varied beats on top of that
5/5. Crazy flow and rhymes, his voice is its own instrument. The fact that all Wu-Tang members appear on this album shows that there is excellent support and creative ideas shared. The production and beats feel so clear and fresh despite its age. Sure, there is influence from previous rap groups but the skill in each track is hard to beat. This was an enjoyable album front to back even if there are some lyrics that do not age well. Best Song: Can It Be All So Simple, Criminology, Heaven & Hell
Rza is at peak here. Raekwon is a great storyteller and Ghostface is a great partner. Gangsta rap worth listening to. Smart and influential.
The skits and mafia theme were a bit naff, but tracks were excellent. Production and flow was class. Guillotine/swordz, verbal intercourse with Nas, wu gambinos, heaven & hell 👌
My older brother listened to wu tang when I was younger so this was a great listen, clears all modern rap easily.
Part of the classic run of Wu-Tang albums in the mid-90s. Rap doesn’t get much better than this.
Very good
WU TANG 4 EVER
Love the Wu-Tang Clan and this is one the best albums coming from the group and it's members. Rae sounds unstoppable at his best with a relentlessly listenable flow. Some of his rhyming on this album sounds somehow both meticulously crafted and completely effortless. I didn't really get the gangster movie concept but oh well. If I didn't read about that I'm not sure I'd have been aware it was even a thing. RZAs beats and the guest spots are amazing too. Obviously Ghostface is most prominent but the Blue Raspberry track adds a nice change of pace too. This has got to be 5*
Wow this reminds me of high school. I can taste the residual blunt papers
held my attention the entire time, which is a compliment given its length. loved those RZA beats. a really solid release!
An album featuring mostly my two favorite Wu Tang members? Yeah this is another banger.
Top tier. Up there with Illmatic by Nas, which should let you know how great it is !
Easy 5
I’ve been a pretty big fan of Ghostface Killah for many years, he’s one of my favorite rappers easily. Enter the Wu Tang is obviously a classic masterpiece in rap music, but outside of this I don’t think I’ve really listened to anything by Raekwon specifically. This album is absolute fire from start to finish. It’s carefully crafted, flows great from song to song, and works incredibly well as a whole. The rapping is amazing throughout, with Raekwon and Ghostface trading bars in top form and guest appearances that add a lot of value, especially Nas on Verbal Intercourse. If I had to complain about anything it’s that it starts off kind of slow (though not bad), but it gets the weakest parts of the album out of the way in the first three songs and it’s brilliant from Criminology all the way to the end. Best songs: Criminology, Verbal Intercourse, Ice Cream, Heaven & Hell
Of all the rap super groups, nothing touches the depth and consistency of Wu Tang. Not only do they combine like Voltron, their independent contributions are full of classics: Liquid Swords (GZA), Supreme Clientele (Ghostface), Return to the 36 Chambers (ODB)... Helps that many of their solo entries share common production in RZA, making for a cohesive superhero-like universe. This is actually one of their solo projects that has completely flown under my radar. Love Ghostface as a "co-star" here. His higher pitched and sharper delivery contrast Raekwon's huskier flows perfectly. Knuckleheadz is a great opener track -- classic RZA production with silky, but powerful delivery from all 3 members involved and plenty of fluid wordplay. Criminology is another classic Wu track. It's got the minimal, dusty drums, orchestral bits, and movie dialog samples. Back to back with Incarcerated Scarfaces -- another jam touting their mafioso ties. Guillotine is another standout here with a deeper posse cut including Inspectah Deck and (more importantly) GZA. Love the beat built around an off-balanced guitar loop with unsettling string jitters. Ice Cream is an unexpected, late album standout -- instrumental is cold as fuck and eminently head-noddable. Meth only comes on here for one feature, but he kills it with his distinctively crusty spoken word overlay. This is some prime Wu Tang tapping more into the mafioso side than their superhero or kung-fu personas. Only knock I could have is that the tape runs a little long at 73 minutes -- but if I'm being honest, I welcome any excuse to step into the Wu's world and more importantly RZAs production. His minimal dusty drums with key loops and string flourishes are always so tasteful and make for a premier canvases for the clan to spread themselves over. Raekwon rocks the helm well with great support. You can see repercussions of this album to this day, most notably (and recently) with Griselda (Westside Gunn, etc.). Easy 5 / 5 for me.
great rap album
So good. Ghostface Killah la botó en todos los feats que tenía, un fucking duro. light 9/10.
Flawless
RZA has always had a cinematic vision and no album in the wider Wu-Tang scope epitomizes that vision more than Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, the debut album from Raekwon with guest star Ghostface Killah. In over an hour, the world is yours saying that was flown over the blimp in Brian de Palma's Scarface is woven in a tapestry of realization, hustle, emotional tolls and full on braggadocio as Rae and Ghost showcase and crystallize their ironclad chemistry with some of their absolute greatest bars and flows in their discography. Add the contributions of the fellow Wu-Tang members and the only non-Wu member to appear on any of their records (Nas) and what one gets with Cuban Linx is the aural equivalent of a Scorsese flick; one that is guaranteed to amount to as many replays and rewatches as possible. 1995 may have been the peak year for the Wu-Tang Clan and this record stands as the example of not just the group's brilliance but hip-hop's as well, as its seeds grows one's seed as it marries the other's seeds, keeping it all in the family.
Easily the best solo Wu-Tang project. Rae and Ghost are such a great duo, love hearing them over this type of production. Only weak song on this is Spot Rusherz imo.
Easy 5/5 an all time classic! Used to rock the purple tape daily when it came out and it still hits today! This was the Wu at the height of their powers, they were untouchable.
Absolute classic record and one of hip hop’s iconic albums of all time. A pivotal moment in the shaping and progression of hip hop to help cement its place in music as such an important style. Long live the Chef!
Makes me feel whiter than a mayonnaise sandwich on wonder bread the best way 5/5
Genius pastiche of the Mafia movie genre, appropriating it's poses and cliches to present scenes of a youth spent hustling. Playful, funny, and deadly serious - this album is an endless stream of verses from a hugely talented groups of MCs coming into their prime. Coming in a couple years before the total commercialization of hip hop and it's total take over of pop, there's a lot more room in the wu-tang formula for this expansive wordy delivery with minimal use of refrains. The production is stripped down - basic drum-machine beats, crackling samples, and simple melodic hooks on a loop give a cinematic atmosphere that gives a bare bones rhythmic structure and mood for the rappers to flit around.
One of the best hip-hop albums of all time. Arguably the best solo Wu-Tang record. So many classic tracks. Incarcerated Scarfaces, and Guillotine are two of my favourite beats of all time. Raekwon and Ghostface are iconic and there's no misses on this. Classic. 10/10
Bangers only
I had no clue that Raekwon started the mafioso rap craze, the Tommy Hilfiger craze, the Cristal obsession. Damn. This album is iconic - not to mention filled with enough thick spit-worthy rhymes to clog up a dentist’s sink.
A Wu classic. While I prefer the debut and Liquid Swords, this might be third. Depends on how I'm feeling; Ghostface has a few records that could fill that spot. Either way Cuban Linx is over an hour of immaculate beats and intricate rhymes. Raekwon's flow is as luxurious as ever was. *Heard before.
Aged dead well, great prod
Poisonous paragraphs smash your phonograph in half
Raekwon's debut studio album, "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx," released on August 1, 1995, stands as a cornerstone of hip-hop history. The album, often referred to as the "Purple Tape," has left an indelible mark on the genre with its intricate lyricism, innovative production, thematic depth, and lasting influence. 1. Lyrics: Raekwon's lyrical prowess shines throughout the album, blending vivid storytelling with streetwise narratives. His rhymes are precise, diffuse, and thematically consistent, creating a cinematic experience. The narrative loosely follows John Woo's 1989 film "The Killer," adding a layer of cinematic richness to the lyrics[2]. 2. Music: The music on "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" is a sonic journey through gritty beats and soulful samples. The production, largely handled by RZA, contributes to the album's cinematic feel. The beats are grimy and atmospheric, setting the stage for Raekwon's lyrical storytelling[3]. 3. Production: RZA's production is a standout feature, characterized by its unconventional sampling and intricate arrangements. The beats complement Raekwon's lyricism, creating a cohesive and immersive listening experience. The production quality has stood the test of time, influencing subsequent generations of hip-hop artists[4]. 4. Themes: "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" delves into themes of street life, crime, and the struggles of survival. The album provides a gritty portrayal of the realities faced by individuals navigating the urban landscape. The thematic consistency adds depth to the project, making it a compelling narrative[2]. 5. Influence: The influence of "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" extends beyond its release, shaping the sound of East Coast hip-hop. Its impact is evident in subsequent works by artists like Jay-Z and Nas. The album's influence on the genre is immeasurable, solidifying Raekwon's place in hip-hop history[4]. Pros: Lyricism: Raekwon's intricate storytelling and wordplay captivate the listener. Production: RZA's innovative beats contribute to the album's unique sound. Influence: "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" has left an enduring mark on hip-hop. Cons: Niche Appeal: The album's focus on street narratives may limit its appeal to a broader audience. Dated Sound: Some may find the production style to be rooted in the mid-90s, potentially impacting its accessibility to modern listeners. In conclusion, "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" is a seminal work that combines lyrical prowess, innovative production, and thematic depth. Raekwon's storytelling, coupled with RZA's production, creates a timeless piece that continues to resonate within the hip-hop community. While the album may have niche elements, its overall impact on the genre is undeniable.
"Only Bulit 4 Cuban Linx..." is the debut solo studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon. Also referred to as "Purple Tape," the album was produced by Wu-Tang member RZA and mostly all members of Wu-Tang appear at some point including Ghostface Killah who is the co-star. The album is considered a pioneer in the mafiaso rap genre as it tells the story of two guys that have had enough of the negative life and want to get their life together but they need to pull off one more sting. It was composed to play as a film with lots gangster film dialogue sampling. Commercially, it hit #4 in the US and had unanimous critical acclaim. "Striving for Perfection" starts things off with Raekwon and Ghostface talking about their long term goals which is to get out. Nice sampling with the theme from the 1989 John Woo film "The Killer." "Criminology" begins with dialogue sampling from "Scarface." Imagine that. Hypnotic beats and laid-back. Ghostface comes in strong as he tells his crimilogy story. The remix of Wu-Tang's " Can it Be All Simple" starts with arguments, fighting and gunshots. The glorified mafiaso lifestyle and how they want to get out. A sample of Gladys Knight & the Pips is expertly used as the chorus. "Ice Cream" compares women to the flavors of ice cream. Cappadonna joins Ghost and Rae in the rapping verses. I think just about all the Wu-Tang members appear in "Wu-Gambinos." The rappers talk over the sampling as they compare themselves to the mob. The album proper closes with "Heaven & Hell." It's slow and soulful. A Syl Johnson sample. It's come to an end as they hope for redemption. Even with the mafiaso theme, the music and beats are chill and at times souful. There's absolutely excellent production by RZA with the music, the sampling and the flow between all the rappers. The forceful Ghostface works with the more-laid back Raekwon. I don't if I completely followed the story as a whole; each song seemed to be its own story. However, the album does flow musically as a whole. The album is not only one of the best rap albums in the mafiaso rap genre but rap genre overall.
Still imperial phase Wu Tang. Raekwon and Ghostface basically rendered all dealer rap after this fully redundant by doing it better than anyone before or after could. Rae brings the street knowledge, bit Ghostface Killah's rhymes are so complex and involved that most are still digging out more meaning and jokes from them 25 years on.
An all time classic!
Always a pleasure
One of my favourites of all time. Favourite track is hard enough, favourite verse is probably even harder. One of my favourite tracks is Knuckleheadz, and the three verses on that track are legit all in my top 25 verses ever. This is a top 3 album of the 90s for me, and honestly #1 on most days. Can NOT recommend it enough. It’s one of those records that deserves hundreds of listen
I basically love anything wutang related.
Absolute banger
Downgraded Enter The Wu-Tang to 3 stars some 18 months ago and was not sure what to expect of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. But no, sounds - apart from its length - still as good as ever.
One of the 3 best things made by Wu Tang or a solo member imho. Love it. criminology and verbal intercourse are absolutely brilliant.
Nice change of pace
LP
It's Raekwon's name in big lettering on the front cover but this very much an introduction to the flourishing bromance between Rae and his former street rival Ghost Face Killah (former rivals to such an extent that Rae was the perpetrator that shot up Ghost's mom's apartment as mentioned at the start of this album). Both step up their game massively here, finding their voices individually, as a pair and as part of the wider Clan. As with Enter The Wu Tang (36 Chambers) before it and Liquid Swords shortly after it, the album excels in creating its own unique world. In this case gritty neighbourhood street life is blown up into a widescreen mafioso world. The mafia trope has been revisited and mined to the point of cliché ever since by innumerous rappers, from Jay Z to Freddie Gibbs, but it was done first and done best here. The album's cinematic quality speaks to the rapid development of RZA's production skills from the grimy beats showcased in 36 Chambers which was released less than two years before. When there's conversations about the best producers in the game, it seems to get overlooked what a stupidly high level RZA was operating at in the early '90s. Not only was there constant quality, there was an absurd level of quantity. This is the second of three Wu Tang adjacent, RZA produced albums in 1995 alone and it is generally considered the best of the Clan members' solo efforts (although Liquid Swords just about edges it for me). With this album Wu Tang changed the game...AGAIN.
Dope af
I did not listen to this album today, but since it released in 1995 I have listened to it too many times to count! Known as the "Purple Tape," this album not only is an important album for the Wu legacy but is also an important album for the whole hip-hop legacy.
The peak of Wu-Tang shone brighter than the sun in the mid-90s. The fact that multiple albums were lost when Rza's studio flooded likely means that there were more albums of this level of quality that the world never got to hear. Can't spend your time thinking about might-have-beens, though. Built for Cuban Linx is one of those albums that I had heard about for a long time before I listened to it. On it's face it seemed like a strange thing. Raekwon didn't go on to the level of success that other member of the clan did, so it was hard to believe that one of the best solo albums came from an artist who isn't in the top 5 most highly regarded members of the original Wu-Tang clan. When you put this album on, it seems baffling that Raekwon didn't manage to break through to the main stream. So much of what made 36 Chambers great is here, the samples that only seem to work through a form of alchemy, the lyrical storytelling, tracks filled with different voices that come together in a powerful way. Cuban Linx is incredible, right from the first song. I'm not in love with the skits between the songs, but that's how things were back then, and it does work well with the cinematic approach to the lyrics. 5/5 An absolute classic
I just love this type of rap
Thumping beats, coke slinging rap, classic soul samples, RZA creating that dark, dark mood and Ghostface and Raekwon spitting darts. This is grade A stuff. Like a movie for your ears.
cool
It’s hard not to think of this album as a Wu Tang Clan album with its cinematic interludes and mafioso centric themes. RZA’s production is phenomenal and Raekwon’s vocal performance with its dynamic flow and shifting rhythms make this album stand out and place it in the upper echelons of 90s east coast rap. I loved this album.
Absolutely fantastic. Love everything Wu
I wanna learn the special technique of shadowboxing
One of the greatest hip hop albums of all time and the absolute pinnacle of cocaine rap. Still sounds as fresh as the first time I heard it. An almost flawless album, the one minor flaw being the amount of skits.
Man what a great album!
5/5 - Awesome
Heard it before, issa classic
banger shittt
All time classic, lyricism invented
One of the first rap albums I loved.
Classic and amazing
Raekwon (and Ghost Face) delivers easily on the mic in bars and vocals, but I do think the real magic here is how good RZA’s production for all this is. Every track just has a fantastic base to build off, which it does easily. Now is 70 minutes still a bit of a stretch with this where you’re a bit ready for it to be more varied? Sure, but worse albums have stretched worse than this.
loved it
The whole WTC things is one of the best things ever in hip hop, this is no exception 4 star
Not my genre normally. However, I really enjoyed this. Maybe a tad too long but still very good.
Classic wu tang
cooles Album mit Ghostface Killah
Hard
insanely catchy, felt like i was watching a movie, don't know why the ratings are so low i feel like some of you just don't know how to have fun
Raekwon is the weirdest rapper in the Wu Tang Clan, but he is an undeniably powerful rapper nonetheless. Especially with the help of my favorite Wu Tang member, Ghost face Killah, the tracks shine. It feels more like a duo album than a Raekwon album (probably by design). And though the beats aren't all standout, and Raekwon is... well, Raekwon, the lyricism is vivid and tells a story throughout every track.
Top top album - very high 4
Raekwon is getting a low 4 from me, it’s too long and doesn’t all hit but it’s generally v strong throughout and a v worthwhile step out of Wu
Tiger Style!
Really like this one! Finally not rock. Ghostface is so charismatic, and what a voice. The whole album sounds like wood grain. Cinematic and cohesive and inventive beats
Hard to beat a hip hop album that has a strong narrative.
Mostly heard 90s west coast hip-hop, so was refreshing with some 90s east coast rap for a change! Didn't know Raekwon was part of Wu-tang clan, but that's cool. Quite a long runtime on this album, which always makes it harder to keep it tight. In my experiences it also increases the number of songs that are not very good. While this holds true mostly on this album, I still found it very enjoyable despite its long runtime. The beats felt quite minimal, which I really liked. They weren't too busy melodically (hip-hop usually isn't), which made it easy to listen to while working, and gave the whole album a coherent feeling. I liked the more jazz/blues sounding beats like 'Knuckleheadz', 'Can It All Be So Simple', and 'Heaven & Hell'. Apart from all the narrative skit parts (which I always hate), I can't really remember any songs I really disliked. Weak 4!
Good old-school rap album. You can tell it still has a lot of the Wu-Tang magic, and it's obvious that RZA produced it. The beats are some of the strongest from that era, and the rapping is impressive too. While some might find the subject matter a bit trite, I understand that this was their world, and it's what they rap about. My main criticism is that the album is far too long. There's clearly a 4-star album in here, but I think you could cut 30 minutes from it and it would be much better. Still, songs like "Guillotine" and "Ice Cream" warrant a 4-star rating, albeit a weak one.
This is a truly fantastic album. The production throughout is brilliant and it flows beautifully. It could easily be a 5* with multiple listens. Favourites: Knowledge God Criminology Wu-Gambinos
89/100. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... by Raekwon is an exceptional solo project from one of the iconic members of the Wu-Tang Clan. With its tight beats, impressive bars, and clever skits, the album sails by effortlessly. Despite its 73-minute runtime, it maintains a brisk, engaging pace from start to finish. Truly iconic.
Favorite track(s): Knowledge God, Criminology, Guillotine (Swordz), Glaciers of Ice, Verbal Intercourse, Ice Cream
Continue to enjoy this sort of hip-hop. I'd love to take time to listen to this album again, and really pull the whole story out. A concept album that actually lands very well.
So old school wie Hoogwards
4/5
I've been getting a lot of "final albums" lately. It's really starting to set in that I'm getting close to finishing this album project. Wow. Anyways, here we have my final Wu-Tang album of the project, Raekwon's 1995 classic Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... This is one of the most acclaimed Wu-Tang solo albums and for good reason. This thing is so good. Admittedly, it's not the best Wu-Tang album I've heard. I do prefer Enter the Wu-Tang and even Liquid Swords over this, but this album is right behind them in 3rd place. I think this one's just a little long for my liking. But that's not the biggest deal on the planet when the material that we're working with is as great as it is. RZA's production is as excellent as ever. The mafia aesthetic makes for a very engaging album listen, with songs like "Ice Cream" and "Guillotine (Swordz)" keeping you hooked the whole way through. I don't think Raekwon is my personal favorite member of the Wu-Tang Clan, but he still proves that he's very capable of carrying an album on his own, though the features are, of course, welcome. As is to be expected, most other Wu-Tang Clan members appear on this thing, with Ghostface Killah appearing on 12 of the album's 18 songs, making him an official guest for the album at large. You know what? I'm not complaining. Plus, "Verbal Intercourse" has the first ever non-Wu-Tang feature on a Wu-Tang solo album with a Nas feature! Hell yeah! The feature is amazing too. I mean, this was only a year after Illmatic, so Nas was still on a whole other level lyrically. The writing of the album hasn't aged 100% perfectly, but it still hits pretty hard to this day. I really don't have much to complain about. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... is a certified classic. It's not my favorite Wu-Tang solo album, but I can see why it would be #1 for someone else. It's great. High 4/5.
I loved this, cool with audio interjections that built a story
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx is the debut solo album from Raekwan, member of the Wu-Tang Clan. The album includes appearances from most of the Wu-Tang members, and an appearance by Nas, which was the first non-affiliated appearance on any Wu-Tang related album. Only Built ... is regarded as among the best of the Wu-Tang solo projects, and among the best hip-hop albums of all time. Raekwon created a concept album; Only Built ... (commonly referred to as "Purple Tape," from the entirely purple cassette released) tells the story of two dealers that are tired of the hustle, and are considering one last score. While the production trends toward the minimal, the storytelling makes the album worth several listens.
Me costó conectarlo pero suena como la pre de Wu tang. Buenas bases y se siente la historia de pandikka de redención
solo debut album of raekwon, who is... you guessed it, another wu-tang clan member. it's interesting hearing efforts from all the men when they go solo... even if one still features other members of the group. pretty straightforward compared to the other guys. big boom-bap beats, strings, and samples from kung-fu and mafia flicks. many songs tell a bit of a story, and occasionally there's some spoken word interludes too. i think this is another case of... objectively really good, but doesn't stand out in my mind too much. and the more wu-tang i get introduced to, it just adds more to the already big pile. also this album is a little longgggg...
One of the best rap albums of all time.
Very good! What a golden age that was for rap/hip hop...
I love Wu-Tang, but I cannot say that I have given individual members’ projects the attention they deserve. Honestly, you can make a lifetime of sifting through that entire catalogue. So it’s nice to have the opportunity to dig in to some excellent hip-hop by an excellent MC and his compatriots. Most enjoyable. More hip-hop, please!
probably 3.5 but rounding up because, well, wu tang
This was hard and not really something I would listen to again, however I can appreciate the good raps and the good beats. I don't have to love something to recognize this was impressive.
pretty peak
Fucking A! This shit is great, I started moving away from Rap in the mid 90s. I was late to the party with Wu Tang. I’m embarrassed that I had never heard this one. Great beats. Great voices. Great content. Fuck The Black Album
fun!
One of my favorite Wu-Tang solo efforts. I have to be in the right mood for it, but the production and vibe is immaculate.
On the positive side I really enjoyed the RZA's production with some great beats/ samples and I also enjoyed Raekwon's delivery alongside a lot of quality cameos that kept everything pumping. On the negative side - its too long and the skits are way too long and way too sweary and lyrical content was a bit tiresome and not my bag and any sense of story was lost on me.
Great album. Favorite tracks: Can It All Be So Simple, Verbal Intercourse, North Star. Shout out to the beat in Can It Be All So Simple for sounding like the foundation for Dive into the Mellow (Aquatic Mine) from Sonic Adventure 2.
Listens: 3 Standout Tracks: Incarcerated Scarfaces, Ice Cream, Can It All Be So Simple (Remix) Okay, so far on the List I've had: Wu-Tang's 36 Chambers. Method Man's Tical. And now I have Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx (Terrible album name? Definitely terrible album cover). I must say, even though this album isn't anywhere near the quality of 36 Chambers, I feel like it's still pretty good. The way I see it, these solo albums almost feel like deep cuts from the Wu-Tang catalog. Nearly half the tracks feature at least one other Wu-Tang members. Some feature multiple members, and there are even some sweet feats like Nas. My primary complaint is that virtually every song has an intro/skit/whatever. You never just dive into any song. I like this. It was raw, it feels just like 36 Chambers. I'm always down for new east coast rap.
Really good
Maybe the lyrics are iffy and it’s a bit repetitive, but this it’s just so pleasant to hear bars like this for an hour. No particular songs were standouts but I was feeling it the whole time. Great rapping.
The classic boom bap sound. I can’t say I followed the story of there was one, but the Wu Tang Clan members (and Na’s) cann all rap their asses off. I don’t think Raekwon would want to be known as the “Black Trump” today.
Just a solid rap album from the Clan.
My 90s hip hop bias definitely is heavy. I find this again outstanding. With rythmnic, funny, robust rhymes a unique delivery and an all star team of features. This is a fun album. Again Method Man my favorite clan member so I can't give a full five stars but there isn't anything really wrong with it. The concept is clean and full of unuque allegory about gansters history, street struggles and nods to Wu Tang history.
Its really good by my lord they loved shitty skits and intros in the 90's.
I mean…it’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Guillotine the highlight
Favourite Songs: Incarcerated Scarfaces Guillotine (Swordz) Verbal Intercourse Ice Cream
INPUT = {"artist": "Raekwon", "album": "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx"} LINEUP = {"men": 1, "women": 0} FEATURED_ARTISTS = {"men": 9, "women": 1} TOTAL_MEN = 10 TOTAL_WOMEN = 1 WOMEN_PERCENTAGE = 3 OUTPUT = "Score adjusted accordingly. 4/5"
I like the wutang production, flow, world building. All present here.
The first listen felt raw and lengthy, but it contains enough charisma to invite you to another. Conversations that lead to the message of the song, effects that insinuate ideas without being a cliche. The gunshots sound like they were ripped out of old western films. It's an exquisitely produced, creative piece of work. RZA is the solid backbone of these Wu-Tang projects, bringing something different than the mainstream with equal impact to dress the lyrics with his sound. It's no wonder their logo is one of the most recognizable hip-hop symbols the world has to offer. It defines that classic 90s rap sound. My verdict for the day is I should listen to this again when I'm angry. I feel it'd soothe me, it might also be easier to lend an ear to the lengthy displays of theatrical penmanship. A bit tough to chew, definitely appreciating GZAs phonetic finesse. Raekwon has the flow, it's fun to listen to, but dissection feels like it takes time, and this project seems to have many layers. Let's see if I think back on this one the next time somebody actives my sociopathic thoughts. 3.6/5
i understand why this is so beloved. great storytelling
Another really great Hip Hop album. Gangsta normally isn't my favorite subgenre, but this is a great one within. I really like Ghostface Killah and it's nice to see him and most of the Wu Tang here as well. Beats are amazingly executed and all the wacky samples from movies seem to blend in really well. It's a bit long, perhaps too much, but Reakwon does have a lot to say.
This is pretty solid.
This goes pretty hard! I like the beats, rapping, and there are some good features.
I didnt expect to like it this much.
Knackiges Rap Album mit ein paar coolen Tracks und ner interessanten Story die sich durchs Album zieht.
Pretty good album. Great verses and beats, ice cream is goated.
This was feeing like a 5 but then I felt it lost some steam in a few of the later tracks
Un poil long, mais quand même excellent
Good, hardcore 90s rap.
Excellent classic rap album
Just a really great rap album.
Like many hip hop projects from the 90s this probably should have been trimmed down. But killer album regardless
3.7 2x in airplane on way to SLC (all hands in Sacramento 4/1/26)
Good story telling, fun album. 6.6/10
This album was so good. Album a day finally put me on. It’s a wu tang solo album and it’s super unique. A little long being a double album but it flows really well.
own
Top notch hip hop. So much going on here. 30 years later and it still sounds very fresh. Truly magical ✨
Cool!!!*
Probably a 3.5 for me--lyrics like 'I'm the Black Trump' sure didn't age well, haha! Bumping because the beats and samples are really well played throughout. It's cool revisiting this era that completely passed me by and hearing this great shit!
*Solid hip hop album
great, classical HIPHOP
Enjoyed this one quite a bit, though probably because it’s just Wu-tang adjacent.
Til tross for å holde Enter the Wu-Tang som et av historiens desidert beste hip hop-album, har jeg vært dårlig på å utforske Wu-Tang extended universe. Fordi jeg har en venn som heter Eivind, har jeg selvfølgelig blitt exponert for Liquid Swords, men prosjektene til Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Ol' Dirty Bastard, og Method Man har enn så lenge levd utenfor min kunnskapshorizont. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx har ikke verdens beste albumtittel eller -omslag, men det har -- som man kan forvente fra disse 90-tallsskivene med RZA bak spakene -- verdens beste produksjon. Om du spør meg, er det ikke noe tvil om at østkysten vant hip hop på 90-tallet, mye takket være den enkle, men effektive, Boom Bap-oppskriften NY-artister perfeksjonerte på denne tiden. RZA og resten av klanens sensibilitet for å velge litt nerdete samples, skaper en vibe som perfekt balanserer New Yorks kalde og røffe betongjungel med noe litt mer soul-aktig. På denne skiva er det Heaven & Hell som vipper mest over i dette territoriet, og det er lett å høre hvordan en produsent som Madlib plukket opp stafettpinnen fra RZA (hør feks. Pinata med Freddie Gibbs). Som de fleste hip-hop album fra denne tiden, er denne skiva også for lang, men jeg synes på et vis likevel at det funker. Det viktigste på et album som dette, er at den er pakket med bangers, og her leverer de en solid håndfull med låter som når opp til samme nivå som Enter the Wu-Tang. Jeg er laget for Cuban Linx -- hva enn det vil si.
Oi oi oi, hvordan skal jeg gjøre dette? Dette er et ekstremt bra album, med noen store svakheter. Jeg har aldi hørt noen "WU" album før, så dette var helt nytt for meg, og jeg kommer nok til å dykke dypere i de folka her. Beatsa og produksjonen er som fra en annen verden. Samplingen er så ukonvensjonell, rå og fryktløs, og til tider utfordrer dem hva hiphop er og kan være. I motsetnign til andre i gruppa så har jeg ikke noe imot skits i albumer, så det var heller ikke et problem for meg. Problemet er mer at som med altfor mange rapalbum, så er det altfor langt. Og den åpne homofobien og mysogien gjør det til tider vanskelig å høre på. Blir man kvitt problemene, er dette en lett femmer, kanskje en av de beste rap albumene jeg har hørt.
How is everyone from wu tang so talented? This is an iconic rap album. What really stands out are the sample selections for each track, each gives a unique flavor and sound. The lyrics are face paced and dense so its hard to listen to in the background though. Favorite track was Wu-gambinos
There is nothing about this that should necessarily appeal to me, a middle aged Englishman And yet… I found myself getting into this to my enormous surprise It’s an all enveloping world that is enormously outside the kind of stuff I normally listen to - which is exactly the reason for doing this kind of project
This is the second best solo Wu album after Liquid Swords.
It sounds like a Wu-Tang album, it’s got those eerie beats and grim raps. A bit long.
Basically a wutang album primarily featuring the chef, great production and sampling from RZA and great features from the other wutang members. I don’t mind an album being long but if it is I have less patience for filler and I did find some songs were either too long with the intros or outros.
I think the 90s is my hip hop era. I like the dark sounding melodies and sketches. This album was a bit long but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it and even loved some of the songs!
would be a 3.5 but 3 seems too low
Robert Dimery really liked Wu Tang, that's what I'm getting from this list. This is a good album I always enjoy the kind of off kilter samples all of the Wu Tang members used. The interlude conversation skits went on too long and some of the lyrics are a little juvenile but it is what it is.
Wu tang is for the children
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx was a shockingly good album. This is another Wu-Tang Clan adjacent album because this is one of their members (probably the second to last one since the only one i think i have left is Method Man's solo album) and i think this one might be my favorite. The production here is absolutely off the charts using all the samples you would expect from a Wu-Tang Clan member's solo album (and an album with all of them together for that matter) even going as far as for Glaciers of Ice to be sampled by The Avalanches in Avalanche Rock and that still blows my mind. The lyrics are a bit stupid on some tracks but despite that, this one surpasses Liquid Swords as my favorite Wu-Tang Clan Adjacent album and is a really good album. Best Song: Heaven & Hell Worst Song: Shark N***** (Biters)
Ghost & Rae... I can understand why it's not for some, but a big album for the Wu
A Wu-Tang solo project! All the Wu-Tang members feature on most of the songs, so it’s basically a Wu-Tang album anyway. The beats are so so good on this, RZA knows what he’s doing when producing a rap album. I didn’t like the skits in between songs, which for some reason was a staple in 90s hip hop, because they interrupt the flow of an otherwise great collection of rap songs. If you listen, just hit the skip on all the skits and vibe to the beats. 4/5
I enjoyed this a lot but wish it was a little shorter
Hip hop. Pretty good although a little long.
top 3: - criminology - incarcerated scarfaces - north stars (jewels)
I am not hip. And my knees are way too messed up to do much hopping. But I'm finding this genre to be pretty consistently great. How many people are in Wu Tang Clan anyway? This was my least favorite of the WuTang offshoots so far, but still solid. 4
Cool
I love finding old school hip hop gems on the list. If you love the Wu and the 90s East Coast style, then this album is just straight bangers from front to back. I can’t believe it’s trending below 3⭐️, so giving 4⭐️ to make up for for that.
These skits are killing me lol Really interrupting the music and making the album longer than it needs to be. The rapping is great though. There is something about Wu-Tang that is so much better than most of the rap I've listened to
The work soundtrack of my dads favorite strippers
Would be a five star album if it weren’t for all the unnecessary filler. Hip-hop royalty
Not good for background music while working, nice to finally have heard more of this type of rap
One of the best hip-hop albums I've heard and only because I discovered it here. Musically really quite good, lyrics less daft than many (but not genius either), and a very coherent (but not boring) album. A 3-4 for me.
While I dig Wu-Tang Clan's schtick, the movie samples, the cinematic flavour and the dusty beats, after the long skit in the middle I found it hard to keep going. It's 70 minutes.
Prime cut of mid nineties hip hop. What is not to like
another slammer
Ujdzie, ale nie aż tak szczególne w dzisiejszych czasach. Na pewno trzeba docenić, że to było 30 lat temu.
Not usually my thing, but good grooves
This album is full of great beats, amazing flows and skits that are essential to the album's concept of being a gangster but hating the lifestyle. Most tracks that featured Ghostface Killah are the better ones because he's a better rapper than Raekwon who is still amazing. The last 2 tracks really don't help this album at all, they just feel like filler.
This is as close as we're ever going to get to another classic Wu Tang ala 36 Chambers again isn't it? 8/10
Охуенно. Лучшая песня - Incarcerated Scarfaces.
How do I rate an album like this? It's practically in a foreign language (Genius annotations were crucial in a lot of places). I don't dislike it, I'm not going to listen to it again; I respect its art, it's not my taste.
the cover seemed so silly but this was good!
Overall: 7/10 So I really love Wu-Tang and all of it's members, and this is a really solid album. For some reason, it doesn't do it for me the way that other solo Wu-Tang albums do. The beats are great, yet some of them feel a little light. The rapping is awesome (especially from Ghostface) but Raekwon has always been the weakest lyricist to me and his voice isn't as distinct as Method Man, GZA or Ol' Dirty Bastard. Overall, I do really like this album but it's hard not to compare it to other Wu-Tang albums. Weirdly negative review for an album I really enjoy. Fav Song: Guillotine (Swordz) Least Fav Song: Rainy Dayz
Still in the heart of the Golden Age of Wu-Tang, where all the solo albums were in many ways extensions of the whole (RZA producing, others guesting). This one, of course, is really a Ghost & Rae production, and Ghost has the best bars because, well, he's better, but that's no knock on the Chef. (Best single verse on the album, however, is Inspectah Deck on "Guillotine (Swords)".) Hard to ignore the importance of this album in the creation of the mafioso/coke-dealer persona that would be followed by rappers for decades (Nas predates this, as does Jay-Z, but the latter owes a ton to this record, as do Rick Ross, Clipse, and countless others). This is not the best Wu solo album (Joe Biden was right, it's LIQUID SWORDS). Nonetheless, it's very, very good, although still somewhat uneven, with a few spots that drag ("Can't It All Be So Simple (Remix)"; "Wisdom Body"), but it has some absolute bangers, especially "Crimonology," "Guillotine (Swords)," "Ice Water," and "Wu Gambinos." It's not on the level of 36 Chambers, Liquid Swords, or Supreme Clientele, but it's excellent.
Another one that I'm of two minds on. I like a lot of the Wu solo stuff, but for some reason Raekwon never clicked for me. I know, I know, I'm wrong, but that's where I stand. Maybe I think the mafioso-reimagined-as-gangbanger thing that seemed to have a lot of presence after this album was just Too Much and I'm a white kid from the suburbs. I've seen enough de Palma Scarface posters on dorm room walls to last a lifetime. Thanks, Rae. I wanted to give this album a fair shake since I haven't revisited it for a loooong time and you know what? It still doesn't grip me. Ghostface is good, but he's better elsewhere. Raekwon isn't bad, but he doesn't have the...authority? that Ghost does. My mafia-themes dislike aside, the storytelling is prime, with the ambiguity adding a lot. You know what the real problem is here, and it pains me to say? I just don't think the RZA's beats here are good. Sounds like he's sleepwalking through this shit, attention directed at the great beats he could be making for guitar center. I get it's an accomplishment, but it just doesn't build for me the way I want it to. I paid a lot more attention this time around, and it's certainly better than I remember, but I just don't feel it the way I do other solo projects. To out myself, when GZA's verse came on, my ears perked up immediately. There we go. Wanna give it a 3, but I have to give it a point for ambition.
Wu Tang forever
Such a GREAT ALBUM the production is ridiculous and so atmospheric!
big album for me as a lad... really love the production on this album and how simple it is... gives raekwon lots of room to absolutely glide over these beats
Okay album, definitely see how its influenced music todqy but at its core its storytelling music. Love skits too
Smooth and creamy masterclass in sampling and rapping
A classic! These dudes were undeniable in this early run, full group, solos, just bangers after bangers. The only thing with these older albums in general is the skits never hold up for me.
Without a doubt one of the best releases by a solo Wu-Tang Clan member. Raekwon and Ghostface Killah have this wonderful interplay and have the right stories for the streets that go into deeper territories than most other rappers before and after them went into. Listening to it after many years I do think it's still solid and deserves to be on this list, but it also reminds me again why I don't listen to too much hip hop anymore.
I was making cyanide in a dingy motel room that two girls I knew from high-school were going to stay at after a dance. They showed up early and there was a lot of me fumbling the empty cyanide container around until I ended up digging through a trash can. The girls were never meant to stay the night at the motel but they bitchingly insisted where I ended up in a small schair squeezed between them and the chair. They kept insisting it was their chair. Then I heard my mom's voice and I felt like she would be mad at my situation. I look across the room and it's still the dingy hotel room but also my mom at a table laughing. The way she did when she did when I did something funny or stupid. Outside were three friends of mine David Christian and the were making meth a d selling it outof the parking lot. Arian was mad that Christian was outselling him. The whole thing was weird bc those guts hated meth. Christian's mom was giving him advice and he,ping him out whi h that made sense. If he did do that she would help him. Then things went south and I jumped into a car with Christian but then it Arian a d briefly David was in the back seat. One of them taught me how to drive a stick shift.
Heck yeah
So good. I get why this is a classic. I wish it wasn't so long. I don't know why every '90s hip hop record is like an hour and a half with a million interludes. But it's very good.
i feel like Raekwon, Gza, and any other Wu Tang album is such a good rap album to throw on and just have it on. I know so much of a good rap album is predicated on good lyrics, but honestly I was okay to just let this album wash over me as I worked. its just such a good listen, through and through. glad that this came across our path!
Really good, enjoyable album. I wasn’t listening very intently during the commute, but this album had the ability to continually pull me away from my other thoughts just to think “Damn, that’s awesome”.
Rap isn’t something I listen to an overwhelming amount anymore. High school and college is when I listened to it the most, mainly guys you would hear on the radio - LL Cool J, Dre and Snoop, Young MC, and later on Eminem. Never listened to Raekwon and though I’ve obviously heard of Wu Tang Clan, I’ve never listened to them much either. So I didn’t know what to expect from this, though the rampant explicit ratings certainly gave it away. To my surprise, I kinda dug this, even if I am probably a bit removed from the target audience. There were a good amount of songs I liked. Criminology felt like something off of a Public Enemy album (who I really like). Incarcerated Scarfaces had a LL Cool J type of beat to it. Guillotine was excellent. Beyond this, it has a bit of a movie type of feel to me, which tied it all together. Enjoyed this more than I thought I would.
It’s all about the RZA beats for me. The slightly off timing of his chopped up samples, the vinyl need sound effects, the relentlessness of the grooves that allow the MC to play as long as they want. It’s all so hypnotizing. GZA and Co. do a masterful job of delivering the content to supplement. Surprised to see NAS on the album. Is this just rebranded Wu-Tang since everyone seems to be here?
So good
This goes pretty hard
Solid ganster rap album 👌🏻
fav: heaven & hell least fav: none 8.3/10 really good album but all the songs sound very simillar
Nice
Splendid! Absoluter klassiker mit wu-tang vibes ohne ende 🖤
Solid project
Need to listen to this at least 1,000 more times.
I listened to this all the time in high school. This era of Wu Tang albums with lots of little skits on the album can get a little old. Like oh cool, another 3 minutes of bullshit babbling about selling crack. That being said, I love Raekwon and I love this album.
Knuckleheadz // Criminology // Guillotine // Glaciers of Ice // Verbal Intercourse // Ice Cream // Wu-Gambinos //
Word up
Why are hip hop albums always so long? This could've been a 5 with a trim but as it is we will stick to 4.
Great album. Wu Tang has it's own style and it definitely shines on this one.
Pretty good stuff. Not as good as his stuff with wu tang.
Raekwon, with the help of Ghostface Killer, put out a great hip hop record here. Absolutely excellent flow and beats on display here, clever lines and unfortunate interlude skits that put a slight drag on this record. 4 stars
i know next to nothing about rap and even less about 90s rap, but i really enjoyed this album. it's conceptual without being up its own ass and the beats and samples slap quite hard. it's over an hour long and dragged on a bit for me but that's in part because I'm just not usually into rap. overall i felt like i experienced some really good music that i wouldn't have sought out otherwise, and i think that's what this project is about. 4/5 woot aang
This album was awesome. Although it was long, the journey and length of the album felt appropriate. Beats were great. Lyrics and rhythm were spot on. I don't know why I didn't know about this wu-tang offshoot work. Best songs: Incarcerated Scarfaces, Ice Cream, Heaven & Hell, Ice Water Strong 4
CUBAN LINX BABY. RESPECT THIS ALBUM. IF UR GONNA LISTEN TO ANY OF THE WU-TANG SOLO ALBUMS, IT'S THIS, LIQUID SWORDS, AND RETURN TO THE 36 CHAMBERS. GRAVEDIGGAZ TOO IF U FEEL NASTY. U RUN THIS THRU UR SPEAKERS LOUD AND LET THE BASS RUMBLE. BARS HARD AS FUCK. THIS IS CULTURE. THE RZA DELIVERING THE GREATEST BEATS OF THE '90S. FUCK THE OLDHEAD SLANDER, WE RESPECT THE CLASSICS. EVERYBODY KNOWS WHO HAD THE GAME ON LOCK. THIS IS THAT MAFIA RAP RECORD. TOP TO BOTTOM HEATERS, NO FILLER. RESPECT IT.
Definitely a classic. For some reason, this wasn’t on my radar back in when I was listening to tons of wu. But this is rightfully one of the best
Every time I get a Wu-Tang record I feel the need to watch the 36th Chamber of Shaolin after. The only thing I didn’t like was the “skits” between tracks. Although these were shorter and less problematic than most on 90s hip hop records.
Yes, have some.
inmaculate flow
Liked this more than I was expecting.
I aways want to rate rap and hip hop albums higher, just because I'm excited for the change of pace. Overall, I did enjoy this, even if a lot of it felt like Wu-Tang B-sides.
RZA's production is so great - spare but haunting samples and loops that feel as much like its scoring a movie as supporting Wu Tang offshot projects. Maybe not as strong as GZA's entry on this list, but still added quite a few of these to playlists: Rainy Days, Guillotine, Ice Cream, Wu Gambinos (I mean, Method Man shows up and I'm in.)
solid album. i am a fan of this era of rap and i thought that raekwon was really good on this one, as well as all of the guest rappers. you can definitely feel how this one influenced a lot of rap music that came after it. i liked the production, but thought that maybe it could have been a little bit more. a lot of times it felt a bit subdued for the bombastic rapping that was happening over the beats, but i enjoyed this one well enough despite that.
boas intros, bons beats, os cara entregam bem. fortíssimo esse aqui. curto muito os mano do wu-tang clan
Relatively OK.
The Chef serves up the whole menu
8.5/10 Fave track: Guillotine
very wu tang, forever
The flow on this is incredible. Could do without some of them “skits” but, that was the time! Some of the vocal recordings are not fantastic, plosives all over the place. You can tell this was “compact disc times” an hour and 13 minutes! This could have been trimmed down to a tight 45, which would have made it a perfect album.
This really feels like the spiritual successor to 36 chambers. I really like it, and will definitely come back to it and so many other Wu Tang solos and sides. This is among the best of them.
4/5 qualche filler di troppo, però bello
Fun
Decent album, good beats.
Some of the best ever, not as peak as Wu Tang or NAS but still up there
i really liked this. i dont know much about hip hop music but the flow was really nice :) the instrumentals accomplied his voice well! i didn't pay much attention to the lyrics but the arrangment was awesomes
I did a deep dive into WTK and their solo/side projects last year or the year before. This is held up as the absolute best of it all but only one track criminology really stood out, so I’m looking forward to giving this another go and already I’m enjoying it more Rounded up to 4
I do love that RZA sound
Yeah. This is pretty freaking great!
Better than expected and I didn’t know what to expect
Perhaps slightly bloated as many 90's Hip Hop albums were, but there is no question that there are classic songs all over this.
7/10
Not as good as Tical or Liquid Swords as it's a too long for what it is. It would probably be better if they cut out some songs. It's still a great album with iconic production by RZA and aweome collaboration with the rest of the Wu-Tang Clan.
Great beats and flow, specially the last songs.
Oh buddy. An album I have in my personal collection??? I think it’s the first one. A lot of pressure here Mr. Chef. Well. More so Ghostface. He’s the glue. I’ve heard a lot of this already. I’m expecting stripped back beats and violent vocal delivery. Please break the curse. Even the intro has energy. Shouting random oddities. Right into loading a gun presumably, although it could be a stapler. No. It’s a gun. Ghostface has my favourite “flow” of any rapper. He kind of saves this song. The beat is too laid back for an opener. The piano riff sample is not what I would’ve gone with, but thankfully I’m not producing rap albums. Also, I dont want to harp on this, but I don’t like bootleg Wu-Tang members. U-God and Cappadonna specifically. Very bad. Anyway. Not a bad start. Now this is a beat. Wartime racial slurs aside the way this one kicks in is electric. The eerie “don’t worry ‘bout it” accompanied by the baby cry has always been so cool. Claiming New York was ancient Babylon. Selling coke straight out the bottle. So many quotes. So much menace. This is the god damn best. The first song I heard from this album. Cash rules, everything black around me, as you can see. This review can just be quotes I think. I retract my statement, THIS song is the god damn best. I don’t know what this sample is. I know I’d lose my mind if I came across it though. That’s always a fun moment. Anyway. This song is more laid back, but it’s super cool. Kind of floated by. Still good somehow but not a high point. This is a high point. Incredible. One of the greatest of all time. Everybody is fantastic. How did this group come together and how is everybody so unique and talented? Taking the worst song from 36 chambers and making it fantastic? That’s one of the better things this album has surprised me with in this listen. I don’t like the vocal sample, and never have, but the rapping on this really takes it to an aggressive place. Still trails on too long, but this is a good one. He will approach you. Keep it real, get your own shit. Uh oh. I copied it word for word. Anyway. On to the song where he talks about ice. Unfortunately, Cappadonna is here, but fortunately, we start with Ghostface who calls himself the black Jesus. I’m not convinced that isn’t true. This song is divisive. The tweaker beginning is always fun. Is he talking about popular British shoe brand, Clark’s? I have never had one clue what he’s talking about. Clogs? Anyway, the screaming sample is out of place, but the beginning is very good. Ghostface and Nas????? Just add Mobb Deep and it’s the best. I hope the Infamous is on this list. This song was disappointing considering the participants. I HATE this chorus. It’s so disgusting. Why do you have to sing about sex? It’s virgin behaviour. However. This beat and Ghostface? He could be rapping about hating me specifically and this song still rips. A fine song. And not in an old timey really nice way either. Just ok. Uh oh. Mellow times. Not believing in heaven because you’re living in hell is a well meaning, albeit ham-fisted concept. This song isn’t good. Very skippable. Yikes that last song sucked. I seemed to remember the last side of the second LP was a drag. I think it’s a good time to say I think music requires repeated listens. First time listen 3’s and 4’s could grow to be 5’s. Even 1’s and 2’s (as much as it pains me to say) could blossom into enjoyable releases. I have heard this album many times and it is great. Despite not being a “Cuban Linx,” I secretly enjoy this album away from the prying eyes of Chef Raekwon and the elusive “Killah,” who produce what is a fantastic, aggressive and might I say mafioso-tastic waltz through the one of the many chambers of Wu-Tang’s hallowed catalogue. 4-4.5 HIGHLIGHTS: Knowledge God, Incarcerated Scarfaces, Criminology, Guillotine (Swordz), Can it Be All So Simple (Remix), Ice Cream
This album is really good and has a lot of compelling storytelling and gorgeous tracks. It’s not the kind of music I would seek out on its own, as in I can’t see myself returning to this often just because I don’t really listen to story albums like this so much and I can’t picture adding these songs to playlists. That being said I still think it’s pretty good and I like hearing him say places in New York :)
En 1995, l'onde de choc du Wu-Tang Clan continuait de secouer la planète hip-hop. Après l'explosion collective de 1993, les membres du Clan commençaient à s'échapper en solo, comme des ninjas partant en mission. On avait eu le charisme enfumé de Method Man, la folie pure d'Ol' Dirty Bastard. Et puis, le 1er août 1995, est arrivé le troisième homme : Raekwon, surnommé "The Chef". Et le plat qu'il nous a servi n'était pas un simple album. C'était un film. "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…", souvent appelé "The Purple Tape" par les initiés (car la première édition K7 était en plastique violet), n'est rien de moins que l'acte de naissance d'un sous-genre entier : le rap mafioso. Un album entièrement centré sur l'imagerie de la mafia américaine et du crime organisé. Raekwon et son acolyte de toujours, Ghostface Killah (présent sur la quasi-totalité des morceaux, au point que c'est presque un album en duo), ne sont plus de simples rappeurs. Ce sont des personnages, des gangsters tirés à quatre épingles qui sirotent du Cristal et portent du Gucci, naviguant dans un monde de deals de drogue, de trahisons et de paranoia. Et le réalisateur de ce film sonore, c'est le grand manitou du Clan, le producteur RZA. Et quel film ! On sent l'influence des polars de John Woo à chaque coin de rue. Le paysage sonore est sombre, tendu, incroyablement cinématographique. RZA est au sommet de son art, il découpe des samples de vieux disques de soul, des dialogues de films, des cordes dramatiques pour créer une atmosphère qui suinte le danger et la mélancolie. On n'est pas dans le G-Funk californien et ses rythmes festifs, on est dans une ruelle sombre de Staten Island, au milieu d'une transaction qui pourrait mal tourner à tout moment. L'album est un classique du Clan, et donc, par définition, un classique du rap. La narration est brillante, l'alchimie entre Raekwon et Ghostface est télépathique, leur flow est complexe, leur argot est si dense qu'il faut parfois un décodeur pour tout saisir. C'est un disque qui ne se livre pas facilement, il faut y entrer, l'apprivoiser. Alors, pourquoi "seulement" un 4 sur 5 pour un album si important, si influent ? Parce que sa plus grande force est aussi ce qui peut constituer sa limite. "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…" est un album exigeant. C'est un bloc, un film qu'on ne peut pas regarder en picorant des scènes. Il faut s'asseoir et l'écouter du début à la fin pour en saisir toute la richesse et la cohérence. Il y a peu de "tubes" évidents, de morceaux qui sortent du lot pour faire bouger une soirée. L'album fonctionne comme un tout, une longue montée en puissance qui suit les hauts et les bas de la vie de hors-la-loi. En 1995, j'avais 25 ans et je me souviens de l'impact du disque à sa sortie. Il était moins immédiat que les autres projets du Wu-Tang car il demandait un effort. C'est un disque que j'ai appris à aimer, à décrypter et c'est là que se situe ma légère réserve. C'est un chef-d'oeuvre de construction, une démonstration de force lyrical et sonore. Mais il lui manque parfois cette étincelle de fun, cette folie spontanée qui rendait les disques d'ODB ou de Method Man si attachants. C'est un album de "connaisseurs", un disque pour les têtes chercheuses du hip-hop. Un 4 sur 5, c'est la note du respect absolu pour un album majeur, un disque qui a changé la face du rap et dont l'influence se fait encore sentir aujourd'hui. C'est une oeuvre d'art complexe, dense et sombre, qui mérite sa place au panthéon. Mais pour atteindre le 4/4, il m'aurait fallu un peu plus de lumière, un ou deux moments où l'on sort de la salle de cinéma pour simplement danser sous la boule à facettes. Un classique, sans aucun doute. Mais un classique qui vous fait travailler les méninges autant qu'il vous fait hocher la tête.
Like.
I will not include the "North Star (Jewels)" bonus track in my review of Raekwon's debut solo album. That still leaves an album that is 69 minutes long, albeit one filled to the brim with excellent wordplay from Raekwon and his Wu-Tang Clan brother Ghostface Killah. The two have amazing chemistry throughout these tracks, trading bars about their rough upbringing in Staten Island. Along with them, other Wu-Tang members old and new hop in on a few tracks to good results, and even Nas as a non-affiliated guest dropped a dope verse on "Verbal Intercourse". Aside from the long runtime, my only complaint is the album's dated feel. That sentiment includes the early Wu-Tang Clan production style courtesy of RZA, and some lyrical choices that haven't aged well such as Ghostface Killah's verse on "Verbal Intercourse" with the line "Flashbacks of the day room, mop wringer style/Your f----- ass got bashed trying to turn the dial". It's an unfortunate byproduct of what was considered acceptable language decades ago. Still, I had fun with Only Built 4 Cuban Linx as my first exposure to anything related to the Wu. It's worth a listen.
Usually rap loses me, but this one just robbed me and walked off with my respect.
Honestly this is one of the better rap albums in the history. Maybe one of the best...
Never heard this album before and I really enjoyed it the skits are to a minimum and not long. Good beats just solid work. Stand out tracks: - Knuckleheadz - Knowledge God - Criminology - Rainy Dayz - Guillotine - Ice Water - Wisdom body - Wu-Gambinos
Day293 - i don’t love every track but my head does bob on most of them.i do wonder if they change the trump lyrics during concerts nowadays?
I remember how fresh these beats were when this was 1st released. A classic
Lyrical genius! Thoroughly enjoyed listening, and appreciate the heavy influence Raekwon has had in the Rap/HipHop genre.
Yooooooooo Raekwon the Chef Dik
Was feeling this today. Some good vibes here and definitely worth the listen. On the 4 side of 3.5.
Love de wu tang, solo hebben ze ook echt nog enorm goeie albums. Het zou een 5 krijgen als het iets unieker was, en hier en daar klinkt het wel hetzelfde. Hoe dan ook, keiharde bars en keiharde beats
Good rap album. Didn't know Raekwon was part of Wu tang clan
sad its Raekwon's best solo piece outside of the Wu. STUPID production, lyrics have you re-reading like your favorite book over and over again.
I'm not sure why a lot of hip-hop artists love to scatter skits throughout their albums, and that's their prerogative, but I'm not a big fan. A great album otherwise. Some really solid classic rap.
Raekwon the Chef! This is probably my favorite from "solo" Wu. Nas guest spot is sick also. Love the callbacks to 36 chambers
Rating: 9/10 Amazing album overall. The production and lyricism from Raekwon and Ghostface Killah are fantastic throughout. The duo was focusing on gangster themes while still tying in their own personal struggles, making for a unique experience lyrically and production-wise. Most of the skits seemed unnecessary and overall the album is a bit too long; still one of the best solo Wu-Tang releases. Favorite songs: Knuckleheadz, Knowledge God, Criminology, Incarcerated Scarfaces, Guillotine, Ice Water, Glaciers of Ice, Verbal Intercourse, Wisdom Body, Wu-Gambinos, Heaven & Hell. Worst song: Rainy Dayz.
Big time boom type stuff. Guillotine (Swordz) grabbed me. The mythology of the Wu Tang stuff is just so deep and convoluted. Ice Cream is another good one. Without a deep dive into the lyrics, I cant see the full depth of this album. Grooves are great though.
enjoyed this a lot though wish the n-word hadn't been dropped as much as it was. Still, liked the mix of voices, attitudes, tempos, etc.
Was not sure what to expect but pleasantly surprised.
Great album overall. But probably a bit long Standout songs: Knuckleheadz Guillotine Verbal Intercourse Wu-Gambinos
Solo WuTang member album with full features from the clan. Sharp lyrics throughout and influential mafioso style
Like many Wu-Tang projects, this album solidifies itself in the history books for its solid production and angry, inspired bars. If you don't feel invincible while listening to this one, listen again.
Mafioso Rap Revelations, a.k.a The Book Of Gambino Genesis, a.k.a Optimally Built 2 Culturally Last.
A cinematic, expansive epic of narrative Hip Hop. I prefer Wu Tang’s Shaolin side (Liquid Swords) to its Mafiosi side (OB4CL) but the influence of this record is undeniable. An undisputed classic.
Cool 90s hip hop from one of the Wu Tang members. Well themed. The lyrics are more impressive than the beats. Some skits ala Wu and Doom - not my favorite kind.
Pretty good, some good samples. Nothing that jumped out at me immediately but I think I'd like to give this one another listen down the road.
I enjoyed this! But I like Wu Tang and East Coast Rap so…
I never realised how much some of the samples were recycled from one Wu project to the next.
Pre listen: alright, Cuban Linx, here we go again. Another try at getting this album to click. After listening: it’s about where it always is for me, around a 3.5. I’m rounding up to 4 today, other days I’d round down to 3. Verbal Intercourse is the standout track every time, which is probably just me preferring Nas.
Really solid rapping, too many skits
Once again, the list delivers really high quality in 90s Hip-Hop fare. I only (currently) know the tip of the Wu-Tang iceberg, so adding more context and background is definitely a rewarding process. The production is excellent and Raekwon plus an array of guests add superb vocals throughout. The quality rarely dips although it is a long old album to get through at times.
Way better than I’d hoped
Here we have an album with the signature grimy Wu-Tang hip-hop sound, but with the spotlight on Raekwon as opposed to the whole crew. Though the RZA is still on production and other Wu-Tang MCs are scattered throughout. The beat on "Incarcerated Scarfaces" goes so fucking hard. The guest singer on "Rainy Dayz" was a bit all over the place. Wtf is that black-and-white movie gun sound effect on "Can It Be So Simple (Remix)" lololol. Now I know where the "Avalanche Rock" sample comes from. It's a very good, albeit not perfect hip-hop album.
Excellent chill hip hop album from a Wu Tang legend. A little heavy on skits, but great album overall.
Kyllä ihan tasalaatusta räppiä. Mikään kappale ei silleen kauheen erikoinen, muttei huonokaan. Vähän agressiivisia biittejä. Parhaat: Knuckleheadz,
I dug it, gnome sayin?
knuckleheadz knowledge godz criminology incarcerated scarfaces guillotine (swordz) glaciers of ice ice cream wu-gambinos
Great work! It definitely has the Wu Tang vibe.
Great hip hop from my youth. I really like this album.
Classic offering from Raekwon and the Clan. 4.5 stars.
Call me insane but I didn't get this one... love most of wu tangs golden era stuff but this one didn't click. update: I love it
4.1 - It seems that within the expanded Wu Tang universe of records, "Liquid Swords" gets much of the esteem; however, I prefer the beats and rhymes on this joint. Also, I love the drug dealer narratives and the skits that give this some cinematic heft. "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" paves the way for later records like "Fishscale" by Ghostface and "Hell Hath No Fury" by Clipse.
I appreciate Wu Tang Clan and their lyricism, wit and approach to the rap game. I would consider them the best group ever, and many of the individuals as solo artists some of the best rappers ever period. Having said that, I find the 90s era attempts all kinda blend together and have so many similarities that they don’t stand out. This album fits into that trend. Enjoyed listening to it, but is it better than 36 Chambers ? No. Does it offer enough differences to make me go here instead of 36 for a different Wu Tang vibe ? Not really.
Pure lyrics, power, and beats.
3.5 - im enjoying it but there is a lot of it
Enjoyable mix of music I would not normally listen to
I've owned this album for years but this was the first time i made it all the way through. I enjoyed it, even though i would lose the skits. i wouldn't say i'm a huge Wu-Tang fan, but this one is pretty damn solid.
The music here is just about as lean as rap gets. Drums are the main focus, accompanied by bass and some spare sample loops (usually piano). The drums are hard-hitting but not exactly crisp. They have a sort of low-fidelity sound that gives the beats grit. The rapping is just as percussive. You can zone out a bit, miss a few lyrics and still appreciate the craft of what Raekwon and Ghostface Killah are doing. The vocals fit right alongside the snare hits and piano samples. To me, it sounds like jazz the way they riff over the beats. And anyway I don’t think the lyrics are always 100% essential. You get some drug-dealing imagery, the occasional gun threat and a lot of stack your cash motivational talk. There’s isn’t a lot of variation. The album could use editing; it feels repetitive. But the craftsmanship on display is impressive. Okay hold up, the soulful “Heaven or Hell” is a late surprise on the album. I’m surprised there aren’t more songs like it or at least more songs featuring a different style. This is nice.
Very strong gangster rap album, great rhymes, storytelling, beats and skits. Very true to Wu-Tang
It was good but I'm not sure if I would go out of my way to listen to it again. My faves on the album were "Criminology" and "Wisdom Body."
RZA is the king. Surprised I haven’t heard this before considering how much I love 36 Chambers.
I love this album! It reminds me of another album that I listen to quite often. I love albums with weird sound effects in the background. Woahhhh, okay. I did not appreciate the brawling and gun shots in the middle of the album. Knocking down my rating by a star just for that.
I found the interludes unnecessary. Lots of rap royalty here so overall a solid album.
I miss the old days when rap groups used an abundance of samples and sounds to create a unique flow. However, overall the album was a bit too "long winded" for me...like trying to sit through a 3 hour movie. I realize that's more my problem than the album's...but it is what it is